Child/Adolescent Inpatient Program

Services for children and adolescents at Austin Oaks Hospital are specifically designed to meet the mental health care needs of patients ages 4 through 17. Individuals experiencing serious behavioral disturbance or an inability to function at home or school may be appropriate for treatment. Every individual is provided with a variety of opportunities to learn new skills and to achieve success.

Treatment consists primarily of group, family and individual therapies. Family therapy is an integral part of treatment and family members are encouraged to address problems and frustrations that have contributed to the current crisis.

In The Children’s Program, treatment focuses on helping the patient identify emotions and correct maladaptive behaviors that have contributed to current conflicts at school and at home. Positive behavior is rewarded through earning privileged, and other basic tenets of behavior modification are used to shape appropriate conduct and to promote effective impulse control.

The Adolescent Program utilizes the peer group to bring about change, and places the focus of treatment on helping the adolescent develop a positive self-image, appropriate socialization skills and healthy communication. The treatment team emphasizes the importance of learning to accept responsibility for individual behavior and developing healthy modes of interaction with others.

When Do I Need to go to the Hospital?

Psychiatric hospitals are designed to be safe settings for intensive mental health treatment including observation, diagnosis, individual and group psychotherapy and medication management. . It is a safe place to be if you are feeling out of control, having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, having trouble taking care of yourself or your family or if you are experiencing other serious symptoms . Psychiatric hospitalization may treat a variety of mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and extreme anxiety.

Because inpatient care interrupts daily life, hospitalization should be reserved for situations when round-the-clock safety, observation and care are required. Most hospital stays are only long enough to resolve the most urgent issues, from a few days to a few weeks. Alternatives can relieve the need for full hospital care or serve as part of the discharge process and, depending on availability, may include short term crisis stabilization units or psychiatric emergency rooms, intensive outpatient treatment or partial hospitalization, residential treatment or housing with intensive long term services and supports.

Treatment Components:

Evidenced Supported Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma Resolution Therapy

Low R.O.P.E.S

Substance abuse prevention education

Family, Group, and individual therapy

Medication Management

Nutritional Counseling

Art, Music, and Play Therapies

Insurance:

Austin Oaks Hospital accepts most major insurance, including Medicare. Travis County residents who meet certain criteria may qualify for financial assistance. Our admissions staff is available to address any concerns you may have about your specific coverage.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Austin Oaks Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Austin Oaks Hospital. The facility shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. Model representations of real patients are shown.